About The Library
A Legacy of Learning
The roots of the Dixon Public Library reach back to 1872 when the firemen of Dixon Hose Company began a small subscription library. It became a city library in 1895-1896. In 1899 O.B. Dodge, the first president of the library board, offered to build a new building which was formally opened to the citizens of Dixon in early 1901.
The facility was remodeled in 1955 when the apartment occupied by the library custodian was converted to use as a children’s department. A new addition, which changed the library to its present layout was opened in 1969. The elevator was added in 1986. The building was refurbished in 1994. In 2014 and 2015 major renovations were made to the building.
Many changes have occurred over the years. Collections have grown with the library’s growth. The library houses a significant number of print material, media and special collections. The library also offers an exciting collection of online services.
In 2011 the Dixon Public Library joined with other area libraries to form the Rock River Libraries Consortium (RRLC). The consortium has a shared catalog of over 250,000 items.
The Dixon Public Library is a member of the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) which includes all libraries in northern Illinois.
